Dalton Risner Gets Fresh Look in Free Agency

Dalton Risner in his stance against the Titans in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner lines up in his stance during the second half on Nov 17, 2024, against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Risner anchored the offensive line as Minnesota looked to establish protection and balance in its road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

A familiar saga has unfolded for ex-Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner.

Former Vikings guard Dalton Risner is drawing new steam on the free agent market, with teams showing interest as he looks to extend his NFL career.

Until Monday, no team had taken the plunge for his free-agent services, a pattern that has followed Risner since he hit free agency for the first time in 2023.

But thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals, Risner will receive a tryout this week and possibly be on deck to protect Joe Burrow in 2025.

The Bengals Could Take a Flyer on Dalton Risner

Risner could be a Bengal by the end of the week.

Minnesota guard D. Risner blocks Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II during the first half on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle. Risner worked to protect the quarterback and open running lanes in the tough road environment against a strong defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.

Dalton Risner to Audition for Bengals Roster

After five months of free-agent inactivity, Risner has received a real nibble.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Monday, “Sources: The Bengals will be hosting veteran G Dalton Risner on a free agent visit tomorrow. Risner has started 81 games in his career. Cincinnati has been looking for interior offensive line help.”

“The Bengals have quietly been active in the free agent market, recently adding TE Noah Fant and flirting with the OL market. Risner would bring a ton of experience. He just turned 30 years old.”

NFL free agency kicked off on March 10th, and over five months later, Risner may be close to a new employer.

Homage to an Offseason Theory

This isn’t the first time the Bengals have emerged as a potential employer for Risner.

Way back in April, someone mentioned Risner as a fit for Cincinnati on TikTok, and wouldn’t you know it? Risner personally found the video. “I would love to be a Bengal,” Risner chimed in.

Dalton Risner before a game against the Jaguars in 2024.
Minnesota guard D. Risner is pictured before kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Risner’s veteran presence continued to be an important part of Minnesota’s offensive line preparation on the road. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.

Interestingly, the Bengals are in a spot similar to the Vikings from five [or so] years ago, where any semblance of offensive line help looks attractive in the spring and summer. So, Bengals-themed websites and social media accounts ran with the Risner-to-Cincy idea. But nothing ever came of it back in the spring.

Now, the deal is closer than ever.

The Bengals’ Would-Be OL with Risner

As it stands, without Risner, Cincinnati is on track to trot out 3rd-Round rookie guard named Dylan Fairchild in 2025. Adding Risner would probably shove Fairchild to the bench for his rookie season. Risner specializes in pass protection. His run-blocking is merely mediocre.

This is what Burrow’s offensive line would like with Risner in the saddle:

LT: Orlando Brown Jr.
LG: Dalton Risner | Dylan Fairchild
C: Ted Karras
RG: Lucas Patrick
RT: Amarius Mims

Risner, in theory, could also swipe Patrick’s right guard job, but a swap for Fairchild seems more likely if Risner signs a contract.

Pro Football Focus ranked Cincinnati’s offensive line last month at No. 31 entering the 2025 campaign — also known as second-worst, just ahead of the Houston Texans at No. 32.

Risner Usual Offseason Tricks

This is how it goes for Risner. His free agency is never expedient. There’s something about his skill set, personality, or personal luck that always causes his free agency to linger. It’s bizarre, too, because pass-protecting offensive linemen are premium in the NFL.

Dalton Risner pumps up the Vikings crowd after a win over Arizona.
Minnesota guard D. Risner pumps up the home crowd following a win over the Arizona Cardinals on Dec 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Risner’s enthusiasm and leadership were evident as the Vikings secured a critical December victory. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Risner didn’t sign in Minnesota for the first time until September 2023 — well into the regular season. Last offseason, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t re-sign Risner until early summer.

It’s habitually a waiting game for Risner — and it’s weird that 32 teams ignore him in unison until the rubber hits the road.

A Risner … Conspiracy?

A Bengals-themed writer at StripeHype.com, Matt Fitzgerald, suggested Monday that Cincinnati may be auditioning Risner to take the heat off the Trey Hendrickson situation — as a conspiratorial distraction. The star pass rusher wants out of Cincinnati via trade.

Fitzgerald explained: “I only have one question regarding the timing of this news, even though it appeases me, since I advocated for the team signing Risner as a no-brainer transaction a mere four days ago. You, reader, can probably infer what that question is before reading the next boldfaced subheading. Is Bengals’ interest in Dalton Risner real, or a convenient distraction? The lack of respect the Bengals brass harbors for Trey Hendrickson is astounding.”

“It’s beyond me as to why Cincinnati hasn’t considered reshuffling the interior o-line rotation a bit. In lieu of another free-agent signing, centers Seth McLaughlin and Matt Lee should have the tools to play right guard in a pinch, yet the Bengals haven’t resorted to that. Probably has a lot to do with McLaughlin just getting back on the field from a torn Achilles, and Lee’s injury-induced absence from most camp practices.”

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on the sideline during preseason.
Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor watches from the sideline during the fourth quarter on Aug 7, 2025, against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Taylor guided his team through preseason action while evaluating roster depth. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.

Auditioning Risner just to take people’s attention off the Hendrickson trade sweepstakes would be wild.

Fitzgerald continued, “Just like the situation with Hendrickson — when they could’ve traded him prior to the draft to use a premium pick on this year’s class — the Bengals dragging their feet to address the right guard spot has too little, too late vibes. Risner is the only remotely attractive option on the open market right now. If he doesn’t sign after his visit, where does that leave the Bengals? The front office might’ve bought a tad of goodwill with the fan base for leaking the news of Risner’s visit today.”

“However, if he doesn’t sign on the dotted line and fortify the trenches in front of Joe Burrow, trust that Bengals supporters are going to be even more irked at the organization than they are as is with the mind-numbingly dumb Hendrickson contract stalemate.”

Risner turned 30 last month.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker